Free Certified Arborist Pruning Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Out of the following, which is NOT an adverse consequence of lion tailing?

Barberchair (Correct answer)
Weak branches
Sunburned bark
Water sprouts

Correct answer: Barberchair

Lion tailing is an improper pruning technique that removes inner lateral branches, leaving only foliage at the branch tips. This practice leads to weak branches, sunburned bark due to sudden exposure, and the proliferation of water sprouts. 'Barberchair' is a type of wood failure that occurs during felling or heavy branch removal, where the trunk or branch splits vertically, and is not a direct consequence of lion tailing.

Question 2: Which of these methods of pruning involves the arborist cutting the branch back to a point where it is relatively weak?

Topping
Heading cut (Correct answer)
Undercut
Reduction cut

Correct answer: Heading cut

A heading cut involves cutting a branch back to a stub or a lateral branch that is too small to assume apical dominance, often removing a significant portion of the branch. This technique typically stimulates vigorous, often weakly attached, regrowth (water sprouts) and can lead to structural weakness. It is generally considered an improper pruning method in arboriculture, unlike thinning or reduction cuts.

Question 3: When pruning, how much of the leaf-bearing crown should be removed at the most?

No more than 25% (Correct answer)
No more than 75%
No more than 60%
No more than 15%

Correct answer: No more than 25%

As a general guideline in arboriculture, no more than 25% of a tree's leaf-bearing crown should be removed in a single pruning event. Removing excessive foliage at once can severely stress the tree, reduce its ability to photosynthesize, and make it more susceptible to pests, diseases, and environmental stressors. This limit helps maintain the tree's health and vigor.

Question 4: _______ is a cut used in topping.

Reduction cut
Pruning cut
Thinning cut
Heading cut (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Heading cut

Topping is a severe and improper pruning practice that involves cutting back large branches to stubs, often between nodes, without regard for branch collar or natural growth points. This practice primarily utilizes heading cuts, which stimulate weak, rapid regrowth and can severely damage the tree's structure, health, and aesthetic appeal.

Question 5: When is it appropriate to prune plants that bloom on the wood from the previous season?

Soon after they bloom (Correct answer)
When the blossoms fall off
During winter
Following the first autumn frost

Correct answer: Soon after they bloom

Plants that bloom on 'old wood' (wood from the previous season's growth) should be pruned immediately after they finish flowering. This timing allows the plant to set new flower buds for the following year on the current season's growth. Pruning too late in the season or during winter would remove these developing flower buds, resulting in reduced or no blooms the subsequent season.

Question 6: When there are codominant stems, which of the following structures is typically found?

Branch bark ridge
Included bark (Correct answer)
Branch protection zone
Branch collar

Correct answer: Included bark

Codominant stems are two or more stems of roughly equal size originating from the same point on a tree. A common and problematic characteristic of codominant stems is the formation of included bark, where bark from adjacent stems grows inward and becomes trapped within the union. This creates a structurally weak attachment point, making the stems highly prone to splitting and failure.

Question 7: What pruning technique can be applied to fix the issues that topping caused?

Crown reduction
Crown cleaning
Crown restoration (Correct answer)
Crown thinning

Correct answer: Crown restoration

Crown restoration is a specialized pruning technique specifically designed to improve the structure, form, and overall health of trees that have been severely damaged by improper pruning, such as topping. It involves selectively removing weak, poorly attached regrowth (water sprouts) and training stronger, better-spaced shoots to re-establish a more natural and structurally sound crown over time.

Question 8: During structural pruning, what determines the height of the lowest permanent branch?

It is determined by both the location and function. (Correct answer)
Neither location nor function determines it.
It is determined by the location of the tree,
It is determined by the Intended function of the tree.

Correct answer: It is determined by both the location and function.

The height of the lowest permanent branch during structural pruning is a critical decision influenced by both the tree's location and its intended function. For instance, a tree over a public walkway requires higher clearance for safety than one in a private yard. These factors dictate practical considerations like accessibility, aesthetics, and long-term structural integrity.

Question 9: Codominant stems are:

Two stems that grow from the same location but are significantly larger than the other stems.
Two roughly equal-sized stems that grow from the same location. (Correct answer)
Two stems that share the same root for nourishment.
Two intertwined stems

Correct answer: Two roughly equal-sized stems that grow from the same location.

Codominant stems are defined as two or more stems of roughly equal diameter that originate from the same point on the trunk or a larger branch. Unlike a single dominant leader, codominant stems compete for resources and often form weak unions with included bark, making them structurally unsound and prone to failure.

Question 10: The procedure used in structural pruning to reduce competing stems into laterals is called:

Raising
Hardening Off
Heading
Subordination (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Subordination

Subordination is a structural pruning technique used to reduce the growth and dominance of a competing stem, effectively turning it into a subordinate lateral branch. This is achieved by making a reduction cut on the competing stem, allowing a single, stronger leader to emerge and establish a more desirable and structurally sound tree form, particularly in trees with codominant stems.

Question 11: What is a witch's broom in arboriculture?

It is a group of weak secondary offshoots. (Correct answer)
It is a branch with leaves only on the tips.
It is an assortment of spindly roots.
It is an arrangement of leaf spots.

Correct answer: It is a group of weak secondary offshoots.

A witch's broom in arboriculture is an abnormal, dense, broom-like growth of shoots and branches that forms on a tree or shrub. This proliferation of weak, secondary offshoots from a single point is typically caused by various factors, including fungi, mites, insects, or genetic mutations, leading to a distorted and often unhealthy growth pattern.

Free Certified Arborist Pruning Questions and Answers

Out of the following, which is NOT an adverse consequence of lion tailing?

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